Font distributor for typographical machines



Dec. 2, 1924- I Lsmvs l H. R. FREUND v FONT DISTRIBUTOR FORTYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINS Filed May 25, 1923vllllllllllllllllllll).vllllllllll...

n Vil/ll INVETOR MSW/fidi@ E. Zeaiz BY x ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, i924.

Uri' 5 isrzsisl HERMAN R. FREUND, OF BROOKLYN, NEW' YORK, ASSGNOR TOINTERTPYE CORPORA- TION, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 0F NEWYORK.

FONT DISTRIBUTOR FO'R TYBOGRAPHICAL MACHINES.

Application filed May 25,

To all ywho/ml 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN R. FREUND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in F ont Distributors for'Fypographical Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in typographical machinesand more especially to those of the class wherein matrices stored in amaga-zine or magazines are released Linder control of the keyboard,assembled in a line, and a cast taken therefrom, after which thematrices composing the line are returned by a distributor to therespective channels of the magazine from which they were dra-wn, amachine of this same general class being illustrated and described inLetters Patent No. 436,532, granted September 16, 1890 to O.Mergenthaler.

The present invention relates more particularly to typographicalmachines o-f this class which are constructed with two separatemagazines,` from either or both of which matrices belonging to differentfonts or sets may be withdrawn and assembled into a line from which acast may be taken, and the primary object of this invention is toprovide novel and improved means whereby the matrices belonging to thedifferent fonts or sets and which were withdrawn from either or both ofthe magazines and assembled into the line may, after the cast has beentaken therefrom, be returned to the appropriate channels of therespective magazines through the use of a single distributor similar tothat shown and described in the patent above referred to, whereby thematrices are distinguished and separated according to character, and afont distributor which distinguishes the matrices according to font andseparates and distributes them to the respective'magazines to which theybelong.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvementsand combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinaftermore fully described, the 'features of novelty being pointed outparticularly in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawing z,-

Figure l represents a side elevation, partly in section, of a part of atypograph- 1923. Serial No. 641,472.

ical machine to which the preferred embodiment of the present inventionis applied;

Figure 2 represents, on an enlarged scale, a vertical longitudinalsection through the font distributor shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 represents, on a further enlarged scale, a section takentransversely through the font distributor,

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views showing, respectively, matricesbelonging to different -fonts or sets and constructed for use incarrying out the invention; and

Figure 6 represents a sectiony taken longitudinally through the fontdistributor and the` adjacent portions of the channel entrance for thedistributor and the upper magazine. Y

.Similar parts are designatedv by the same reference characters in thevseveral views. i

The present invention is applicable generally to typographical machinesof the kinds employing circulating matrices which are adapted to bedrawn from. and subsequently returned to di'erent magazines according tofont or set, the invention being particularly applicable to machines ofthe linotype class, substantially as represented in the patent hereinreferred to. The preferred embodiment of the v invention is shown in theaccompanying drawing and will be hereinafter described in detail, but itis to be understood that the invention is not restricted to theprecise'construction shown, as equivalent constructions are contemplatedand such will be included within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing, M and M represent two magazines which aremounted in superposed relation within the machine, which may be of thelinotype class and provided with well known or any suitable means forreleasing matrices from eitheror shown and described in the above-notedpatent, it being understood that the distributor bar and cooperatingscrews function to distinguish and separateA the matrices accordingtothe characters which they bear and that the matrices drop from the bar lat different points in its length, according to the characters on suchmatrices. 5 represents a channel entrance which is arranged beneath thedistributor bar and is provided with partitions 6 which provide channelsor passages which are arranged to receive the corresponding matrices asthey are re leased and drop from the distributor bar.

rlhe distributing means provided by the present invention fordistinguishing and separating the matrices according to the fonts ormagazines towhich they belong, is interposed between the channelentrance and the upper or matrix-receiving ends of the magazines and itreceives the matrices which have been separated according to thecharacte-rs which they bear and distinguishes and separates suchmatrices according to the fonts or magazines to which they belong.Preferably and as shown in the present instance the font distinguishingmeans according to the present invention comprises a font distingnisher7 which embodies a top plate 8 which is formed on its under side withgrooves 9 which are alined with the `grooves M3 of the upper magazineand with t e matrix passages formed between `the partitions 6 of thechannel entrance. 'lhe ribs or walls l() which intervene or separate thechannels 9 are formed with laterallyprojecting ledges l1 which providerails to support or sustain matrices belonging to the upper magazine Mduring the passage of such matrices through the font distributor and topermit other matrices belonging to the lower magazine M to drop from thefont distributor into a chute or hopper 12 which leads to the upper endor matrix entrance of the lower magazine M', this hopper containingpartition plates 13 which provide matrix passages therein which arealined with the grooves 9 and with the matrix passages of the channelentrance 5 and the matrix guiding grooves M3 of the lower magazine.rlhese partition plates 13 preferably project for a suitable distanceupwardly into the font distributor, substantially as shown.

Matrices suitable for use in conjunction with the matrix distributingmeans herein before described may be constructed substantially asrepresented in Figures 4C and 5. The matrices in each instance may besimilar in general construction and outline to those commonly used inmachines of the linotype class, they having lugs or ears at theircorners for supporting and;v guidingI them while being handled by thedifferent mechanisms of the machine and having permuted teeth in theirnotched upper ends to cooperate with the distributor bai' l, wherebythey may be distinguished and separated according to the letters whichthey hearh However, the lugs or ears on one of the edges of the matricesare shaped diilerently on the matrices belonging to the dirlerent fonts,so that they may be distinguished and separated accordingly. Forexample. ure l shows a matrix m which is representative of thosebelonging to the font or set contained in the lower magazine hi, thismatrix having the usual permuted teeth m formed in a notch in its upperend and having lugs or ears m3 and m4 projecting in pairs from itsopposite edges. The lugs or ears m3 are utilized according to thepresent invention to distinguish these matrices according to font and toenable them to be separated from matrices belonging to ar,- other fontor set. For this purpose, the lugs or ears 'ma of the matrix m are inthe present instance reduced in thickness throughout their areas so thatthey will enter the respective channels 9 of the font distributor, butwill receive no support from the ledges 1l. Figure 5 shows a matrix mrepresentative of one of the matrices of the font which may be containedin the upper magazine M, this matrix m having permnted teeth m2 fordistribution by the distributor bar 1, according to character, and lugsor ears mv and cui projecting in pairs from its opposite edges. The lugsor ears m of the matrix m are preferably identical with the lugs or earsm* of the matrix m, but the lugs or ears Im of the matrix m arepartially reduced in thickness to substantially the thickness of' thelugs m3 of the matrix m, by grooves m7 and m8 which extendlongitudinally of the matrix adjacent to the body thereof. leavingoverhanging portions m and m10 whose thickness is greater than that ofthe lugs m3 of the matrix m and these overhanging portions are ofsuiiicient width to overlap and rest upon the ledges il of therespective grooves 9.

By constructing` the matrices belonging to the different fonts withidentical lugs or ears m4 and m5, substantial advantages obtained. lnmachines of this class as ordinarily constructed and used, the matricesare guided inthe channels lli/l3 o? the magazines and these channelsbear a proportionate relation in width to the thickness of the lugs orears of the matrices. The matrices while being distributed into themagazines are guided mainly by the lugs or ears which engage in thelower channels of the magazine in preference to the upper channelsthereof.. and by forming the lugs or ears 'mit and m of the matrices ofthe same thickness and in proportionate relation to the width of theguiding channels in the magazines, the proper guiding of the matriceswhile contained in or passing through the magazines is not disturbed,and, moreover', the usual escapeinent means for releasing and deliveringthe matrices from the magazines are not affected by any change in thetorni or dimension of the matrix. T he only change made in the form otthe matrix to enable the matrices to be distinguished and separatedaccording to fonts involves the ears m3 and mf' ot the matricesT theears m3 of the matrix m being thin to agree with the thickness of thelugs or ears m5 ot the matrix m at the points where these lugs or earsp25 are grooved.

The mode of operation of font distributing means.constructed inaccordance with the present invention as herein described and usingmatrices ot the kind above referred to, is as follows: Matrices aredrawn from either or both of the magazines M and M, by any suitablemeans, such as the keyboard controled escapement mechanism commonly usedin machines ot the linotype class, and the matrices so released areassembled in a line preparatory to the casting of a type bar against thesame, by any suitable mechanisms such as those commonly used in machinesof the linotype class. After the cast has been made the matricescomposing the line are distributed so that each matrix is returned tothe appropriate channel of its respective magazine. rlhe distribution isel'ected by first separating the matrices according to character, thisbeing' preferably done in the usual way by engaging the matrices bytheir permuted teeth on the distributor bar 1 and propelling thematrices while so suspended by the continuously revolving screws 2, 3and il, the matrices being thus caused to travel along the distributorbar 1 until the permutations on the different matrices reach thecorresponding permutations on the bar l, whereupon the matrices will bereleased trom the bar 1 at appropriate points in its length and theywill drop by gravity into the channel entrance or hopper This step inthe distribution of the matrices is preferably identical with the usualmethod of distributing matrices according to character' in the usualtype ot' machine of this class. The matrices which have beendistinguished and separated according to character are the-ndistinguished and separated according to tout and are then directed intotheir appropriate magazines. rlhis is accomplished according to thepresent invention by the font distributor 7 which receives the matricesfrom the channel entrance 5, distinguishes and separates them accordingto 'font and directs them into the magazines W and M respectively. Allmatrices bearing the same character but belonging to both magazines willpass through the respective channel or passageway of the channelentrance and will enter the channel ot the tout distributor alinedtherewith. the uppermost lugs or ears zu or m ot these matrices, which,it is to be understood, are travelling downwardly in a direction endwiseof the matrix and by gravity, will enter the respective channel orgroove 9 in the top plate 8 of the font distributor while the lowerportions ot the matrices will travel in the space formed between theadjacent partition plates 13. The matrices like the matrix m in Figure 5and which belong in the upper magazine M will travel directly throughthe font distributor, by reason ot the presence of the ribs or pro--jections m9 and m10 on its lugs or ears m5. these ribs or projectionsoverlying and hence resting on the respective laterally directed ledgeor rail 11 and therelfy supporting or sustaining these matrices withinthe font distributor. Such matrices will, therefore, pass directlythrough the tent distributor and will enter their appropriate channelsinthe upper magazine M. However, matrices like the matrix m in Figure -land which belong in the lower magazine M, upon entering the fontdistributor 7 from the channel entrance 5 will receive no support fromthe laterally projecting ledges or rails 1l, owing to the reduction inthe thickness of their lugs or ears m3 and the absence of ribs orprojections thereon, and

hence such matrices, upon entering the font distributor, will drop bygravity in a vertical direction edgewise of thematrix into thepassageway formed between the adjacent partition plates 13, thesematrices being then guided by the chute or hopper l2 into theirrespective channels in the lower magazine M.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the matrices m of one setor specie or belonging to the font contained in the magazine M will besupported or sustained, during their passage through the fontdistributor by reason of the presence, on their uppermost lugs, ofsupporting or sustaining means formed by the longitudinal grooves insuch lugs, such supporting or sustaining means engaging the ledges orrails on the top plate of: the front distributor; whereas matrices ofanother set or species or belonging to another tontsuch as thatcontained in the magazine l have no supporting or sustaining means ontheir uppermost lugs, and hence the lugs of these matrices will notengage the ledges or rails of the font distributor so that such matriceswill drop edgewise by gravity from the font distinguisher into the chuteor hopper 12 and will pass on into theirl respective channels ot' themagazine M. This will be understood clearly from Figures 3 and 6, thelatter figure particularly illustrating the manner in which matriceslike thev'matrjix m, Figure 3, :Ve supported the ledges or rails in thefont distinguisher and theremagasine -vii, il will be obiiou. that themeans substantiali;T as herein shown tor separatii sets. lents or specieot' Aemhines lievi ot tu'o maga i L, coopfn'a'tcA l magazines. no changebeen i the matrix as comlrind connnonljT linotype class, and madeconsists in reh ng ot pani ot the lugs or species of matrices to thatthe onl'v ci a ducing the thickness ears on one set or equalsubstantiall the thickness of the grooueif'i portion oi thecorresponding lugs or ears ot the matrices ot the other set or species,inasmuch the n atrices are guided and manipulated. largely by the lowerlugs m4 and m6 and that no change in these lugs is necessary, no changesin the usual mechanisms ot standard machines ont this type necessary toenable them to handle matr-ic ot "he construction herein de scribed. Thereduction in the thickness of the lugs m3 ma()7 permit some wavering orsuch lugs in the upper channel of the standard magazine, although thishas noty been. iound objectionable in carrying the invenn n intopractice. lily extending the parti n plates upwardly so as to project a)orc the lower edges oit' the matrices passing through the tentdistributor on their Way to the upper magazine, as shown, the matricesat all `es under control While passing through the font distributor :torguidance into the appropriate channels oit the magazines.

lt desired, the chute or hopper l2 may be hinged at let to the upper endot one oit the magazines so that it may bc swung downwardly and thusrender accessible the upper end oi: the lower magazine or the interior.`ot the chute, and also the top plate 8 ot the lont distrilmtor mayv behinged at to permit the same to be swung upwardly, thus renderingaccessible the upper r nd of the upper magazine and the interior ot thelont distributor.

l claim my invention :se

l.. ln a typographical machine, a dis tributor tor separating,according` to tent, matrices having aligned grooves extending tl SlonD'itudinalh7 across the 1133er and lower comprising a rail travellinhand to pern'nt passage therewith ot matrices lu with o i it li .it i a,i cores extending longitud'nalljfv through the upper and lower lu l'thereot and matv i' .t anolnci una ying upper and lower lugs t' i 'i thi clin comprising a i1 groored upper and lower lugs ng to one tent andauch matrices in VerticallfyY osition an(T to permit passage l njagement thereoii ot the reduced thiclrnc hws o matrices belonging toann ,C ric onging to one 'font and to permit Y Without engagementtherewith off 1 belonging to another font. 4e ln a typographicalvmachine, a dis-- tributor for separating matrices according to fontcomprising a channel for the passage ot matrices belonging to ditferentfonts while in verticallj,y edgewise position, and a `ail arranged intie upper portion oiI said channel to engage in longitudinal grooves inthe upper and lower lugs on one longitudinal edge of matrices belongingto one font While passing through said passage and to avoid engagementwith the ungroored lugs on matrices belonging to another font.

5. ln a typographical machine, a tout distinguisher 'for separating,according to fonts, matrice, having aligned grooves eX- tendinglungitrflinallyv across the upper anf lower lugs a longitudinal edge oisuch matrices from other matrices Without such grooved lugs, comprisinga passage for matrices belonging to the different tonts and an openingin the bottom thereof and a rail extending longitudinally in saidpassage operative to receive,l the grooved lugs and thereby supportmatrices belonging to one font and thus conduct such matrices acrosssaid opening and to avoid engagement with matrices haring ungrooved lugsbelonging to another tout and thus permit such matrices to pass intosaid opening.

G. ln a typographical machine, a font distinguisher comprising apassageway for the edgewise movement of matrices, those of one fonthaving longitudinal grooves extending across the faces of the upper andlower lugs at one edge thereof, and those of another font havingungrooved lugs, and having a matrix discharge opening in the bottom, anda rail in the upper portion of said passageway and extendinglongitudinally thereof, said rail being operative to receive the groovedlugs and thereby suspend therefrom matrices belonging to one font andthus convey such matrices across said discharge opening and to avoidengagement with the ungrooved lugs of matrices belonging to another fontand thus cause discharge of such matrices into said opening.

7. In a typographical machine, a font distributor having a passagewayfor the edgewise movement of matrices, those of one font having groovesextending longitudinally across the upper and lower lugs at one edgethereof, andiv those of another fonthaving the upper and lower lugs atone edge thereof reduced in thickness, and a matrix discharge opening inthe bottom of such passageway, and a rail extending longitudinally ofand project-ing laterally in the upper portion of said passageway, saidrail being operative to engage the upper and lower grooved lugs of andsuspend therefrom matrices belonging to one font and thereby conductAsuch matrices across said opening and to avoid engagement with thereduced-thickness lugs of matrices belonging to another font and therebycause discharge of such matrices into said opening.

8. In a typographical machine having a plurality of magazines to containrespectively matrices belonging to different fonts and means fordistributing the matrices according to the characters which they bear,the matrices belonging to one font having grooves extendinglongitudinally across the upper and lower lugs at one longitudinal edgethereof a font distinguisher having passageways to receive respectivelythe matrices distributed according to character and having openings forthe discharge of the matrices therefrom into one or another magazineaccording to font, and means within the font distinguisher to engage thegrooved upper and lower lugs and thereby support matrices belonging toone font and thus conduct such matrices for discharge into one magazineand to avoid engagement with other matrices without such grooved lugsand belonging to another font and thereby cause such matrices todischarge into another magazine.

9. In a typographical machine, means for distributing, according tofont, matrices some of which have grooves extending longitudinallyacross the upper and lower` lugs at a longitudinal edge thereof andothers of which have lugs of reduced thickness, to one or anothermagazine, comprising a passageway for the edgewise movement of matricesbelonging to the different Imagazines, the passageway having an openingin the end for the discharge of matrices into one magazine and anopening in its bottom for the discharge of matrices into anothermagazine, a rail in the upper portion of said passageway operative toengage-the grooved lugs and thereby suspend therefrom matrices belongingtoI one magazine and to conduct such matrices across the opening in thebottom of the passageway and to permit passage of other matrices withreducedthickness lugs belonging to another font to said latter openingwit-hout engagement with said rail.

10. In a typographical machine, means for distributing matricesaccording to font to one or another magazine comprising a passageway forthe edgewise movement of matrices belonging to different fonts andhaving an opening in its end for the discharge of matrices to onemagazine and an opeing in its bottom for the discharge of matrices intoanother magazine, a rail in the upper portion of said passagewayoperative to engage and thereby suspend matrices belonging to one frontfor movement past the bottom opening and to the end opening and to causedischarge of matrices belonging to another font to discharge into thebottom opening without engaging said rail, and laterally-spacedpartition plates projecting upwardly through said bottom opening abovethe path of the lower edges of matrices suspended from said rail.

11. In a typographical machine adapted to store two sets of matricesthose of one set having a groove longitudinal. with the corner lugs orears thereof, means to engage matrices belonging to the set having thegroove and to conduct such matrices to their appropriate place ofstorage, the rail allowing the matrices of the other set to pass,without engagement therewith, to a different place of storage.

12. In a typographical machine adapted to use matrices having the lugsor ears at One side thereof provided with alined grooves extendinglongitudinally thereof, a matrix passageway having a matrix dischargeopening for the discharge of matrices transversely therefrom, and a railoperative to engage and direct matrices provided with said grooves pastsaid opening and to cause matrices without such grooves to dischargetransversely from the passageway into said opening without engaging therail.

13. In a typographical machine, a matrix Jfont distinguisher forseparating matrices of one font having the lugs or ears at one sidethereof provided with alined grooves trom those oit another 'lontwithout such grooves in their lugs or ears, comprising a passageway forthe edgewise movement of. matrices, the passageway7 having an openingfor the discharge of' matrices transversely of the passageway, and arail to cooperate with the lugs or ears of the grooves inatrices todirect theni past said opening and allowing matrices without suchgrooves to discharge into said opening without engage ing the rail.

14. n a typographical machine, a font distinguisher for separatingmatrices of one font having the lugs or ears at one longitudinal sidethereof provided with lined longitudinal grooves 'from those of anothermiams tout without suoli grooves in their l or ears, comprising apassageway for the endr wise vertically edgewise movement of inatrices,said passageway having a matrix dis-- charge opening in its loottonn anda rail in the upper portion of said passageway and extendinglongitudinally thereof past said opening, said rail being operative toengag the grooved lugs or ears of the inatrices helonging to one fontand thereby support and direct such inatriees past said opening hutallowing matrices without such grooved lugs or ears to enter saidopening without engaging the rail.

1n testimony whereoi. l have hereunto sel, my hand.

HERMAN R. FREUNP@

